ICYMI: June Roundup
From Summer Davos and Greater Bay Area expansion to portfolio milestones across semiconductors, fintech, and robotics.
During June, members of Gobi’s leadership team attended Summer Davos, signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to link Central Asia and East Asia more closely together, and shared insights about the opportunity in TaqwaTech. Gobi also launched a Macau office, further cementing its commitment to the Greater Bay Area. Portfolio companies that marked important milestones last month included GreatAsic, Fasset, and Xense Robotics, showing the breadth and depth of Gobi’s investments.
Gobi at Summer Davos: Scaling Innovation and Nature-Positive Investment
Gobi Co-founder and Chair Thomas G. Tsao and Partner Carlo Chen-Delantar attended this year’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC), also known as Summer Davos, in Dalian, China. The event gathered over 1,500 leaders from business, government, and academia to discuss how to translate technological innovation into economic progress, enterprise, and employment. Gobi also co-hosted an event called Convergence with Uplink that ran parallel to AMNC. It included a keynote presentation and panel on how Chinese policy and capital intersect with the World Economic Forum’s framework for nature-positive investments.
Gobi Backs GreatAsic in US$6.9 Million Pre-Series A
Gobi invested in next-generation System-on-Chip company GreatAsic through multiple funds, including Gobi Dana Impak Ventures, L.P. (GDIV Fund), which Khazanah Nasional Berhad backs through Dana Impak. The investment formed part of GreatAsic’s US$6.9 million (RM28 million) Pre-Series A round, which the company recently closed. This reflects GDIV Fund’s focus on backing Malaysian companies that contribute to the country’s economy by moving it into higher-value segments of the semiconductor value chain.
TaqwaTech: The Investment Case for the Global Muslim Economy
Muslims represent 25% of the world’s population, but technologyc companies serving their needs receive less than 0.1% of global investment. Gobi Managing Partner Jamaludin Bujang shared how the firm’s TaqwaTech practice is addressing this “blind spot the size of a continent.” His Substack article highlights the major opportunities in TaqwaTech, including halal food, Islamic finance, and Muslim-friendly travel, and reflects on what Gobi’s recognition as the Best Islamic Venture Capital Firm 2025 by Islamic Finance News says about the growing maturity and potential of the TaqwaTech ecosystem.
Fasset and Xense Robotics Named 2026 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers
The World Economic Forum selected stablecoin-powered, Shariah-compliant digital bank Fasset and tactile-sensing technology company Xense Robotics among 100 early-stage companies to join its Technology Pioneers Community. Their selection recognises the strength of their innovation and places them within a global network of startups shaping the future of technology.
Gobi Macau Secures Fund Management Licence
Gobi Macau secured authorisation for the “exclusive exercise of private fund management activities” under Macau’s new Investment Funds Law. Gobi Macau is one of only six recipients to be licensed as investment fund management companies in the region. This milestone strengthens Gobi’s presence within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Through the new entity, Gobi aims to bridge capital across the region, uncover early-stage local startups, and support Macau’s ongoing economic diversification efforts.
Gobi Signs Cross-Border Innovation MOU in Kazakhstan
Gobi executed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Astana, Kazakhstan, with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Astana Hub, and Khan Tengri Innovation Hub. Managing Partner Chibo Tang signed the strategic alliance, which bridges venture capital, media, and technology ecosystems to build a cross-border platform for startups and technology transfer.
Gobi and Alatau City Partner on Digital Growth
Gobi signed an MOU with the Alatau City Authority during the Alatau City Investment Roundtable in Hong Kong. Under the agreement, both parties will explore technology solution opportunities and identify investments to accelerate digital and economic growth in Alatau City. The partnership highlights the firm’s commitment to fostering cross-border tech connectivity between East Asia and Central Asia.
Nika Optics Launches Million-Unit Holographic Waveguide Production Line
Gobi portfolio company Nika Optics launched a million-unit-level automated production line for volume holographic waveguides. This milestone marks a breakthrough in large-scale mass production for consumer-grade Augmented Reality (AR) core display technology. By addressing the scaling challenge, Nika Optics aims to accelerate the commercialisation of cost-effective, high-performance AR glasses and automotive Augmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR-HUDs), which project information on windshields, for the global mass market.
Catherine’s Corner: ServAuto Targets Malaysia’s Fragmented Automotive Aftersales Market
This month’s column chronicles how former Carsome executives founded ServAuto to bring greater transparency and standardisation to Malaysia’s automotive aftersales market. Backed by Gobi Partners, the company is digitising a fragmented industry by connecting drivers with trusted service providers through a seamless online-to-offline platform.
As part of the feature, ServAuto is extending exclusive offers to the Gobi community. Redeem discounts on car servicing and maintenance, tyre replacements, window tinting, dashcams, and more at servauto.com.my using the relevant Gobi promotional code during checkout.